It had been raining for days, and the gloomy weather seemed to fit her mood. She was finding out that being married to Howard was not all she had hoped it would be. He never spoke a civil word to her. The only time he paid her the slightest attention was at night when they went to bed. He had cursed and abused her, and she wondered if it had all been worth it. He had threatened her more than once by telling her she would be on her own when they reached Philadelphia. She was determined that he wouldn’t cast her aside so easily—no, not yet. She had silently endured his kisses and his fumbling hands. When he took her body, she felt as if she was more than repaying him for any injury he might have suffered to his pride. If she had used him, wasn’t he now using her? Oh, no, Howard Landon, you will not get rid of me, she thought to herself. Like it or not, I’m your wife. She stepped across a mud puddle and walked up the wooden steps. Claudia had stalled as long as she could. There was nothing for her to do but return to the quarters she shared with her husband.
